Bearded train worker loses religious discrimination claim

A former Virgin Trains worker who complained he was sacked after refusing to shave off his beard has lost his religious discrimination claim.

Mohsin Mohmed, who worked as a customer service assistant at London’s Euston Station, said he could not trim his beard shorter than one fist’s length – about four inches – because of his Islamic faith.

The 23-year-old said he was repeatedly asked to trim his facial hair and told not to wear a religious skull cap.

His claims of racial and religious discrimination and unfair dismissal were rejected by an employment tribunal in central London.

Virgin Trains said Mohmed was dismissed for his “general lack of enthusiasm” and that the length of his beard was never an issue.

This is believed to be the first case to decide a claim under the Employment Equality (Religion and Belief) Regulations.